Did you know that one of the best things about vapes is that they come in such an exciting variety of flavors, with every brand offering an impressive selection of flavor profiles that are all worth exploring? We all have our preferred vape flavors, whether they be fruit flavors, candy flavors, dessert flavors, tobacco flavors, etc. But, one thing we have to consider aside from the taste of our e-liquid is its smell, which is also going to play a role in your vaping experience, and the experience of those in your vicinity.
Do Vapes Give Off a Smell?
First, let’s define vape smell. When we describe a vape smell, we’re talking about the aroma that comes from the vapor itself, not the actual device. Each time we exhale a cloud, we emit into the air a number of flavor and aroma molecules that are in our e-liquid. So, the smell is actually coming from the clouds that you blow with each puff that you take.
Naturally, the smell is going to vary from one vaping product to the next. Each e-liquid has a unique flavor profile, which will be reflected in the aroma of the vapor. For instance, a lemonade-flavored vape will produce a smell of citrus and sweetness, while a tobacco-flavored vape will produce a smell of nuttiness and smokiness, just like regular tobacco.
So, how strong is the scent of vapor? Well, that depends on a few things. One is the concentration of flavor ingredients in the actual e-liquid formula, as this can vary from one brand to the next. With that being said, keep in mind that the other ingredients in vape juice (vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, and nicotine) do not have any smell whatsoever.
Another factor that affects the strength of an e-liquid smell is the strength of the device. A higher wattage setting produces more vapor per puff, and the bigger the cloud of vapor, the higher the volume of aroma molecules in the air once you blow that cloud out.
Of course, the size of the space in which you’re vaping matters too. Blowing out a cloud on a windy day outdoors means a less concentrated smell than, say, blowing a vape cloud in a confined space, like a car with the windows rolled up.
Finally, we want to mention that different types of flavor profiles can have different types of impacts on the surrounding air, in terms of aroma. For instance, many say that the scent of vanilla has a tendency to linger for a while, while the scent of mint dissipates quickly, as does citrus. Heavier aromas, in general, have more lasting power, which is something that we also see with perfumes.
Is it Okay to Vape Indoors?
Now, it goes without saying that vaping indoors is going to cause the smell of your vape to last longer, as the space is confined, whereas vaping outdoors allows the vapor to travel farther and dissipate sooner. But, is it actually okay to vape indoors?
Well, that depends on how you define “okay.” Vaping indoors is not illegal if you’re in a private residence, like your own home, or the home of a loved one. And, vapor dissipates within seconds, compared to cigarette smoke which can last for hours to days, and absorb into the fibers of furniture, carpet, etc. So, vaping indoors habitually doesn’t really have any negative long-lasting effects on the scent of your dwelling.
Still, there are some things to consider. One is that the people around you may not enjoy the aroma of your vape as much as you do, and if you’ve been vaping a flavor profile for a long time, you may be so used to it that you don’t notice how strong the smell really is. There’s also the matter of second-hand vapor, which isn’t known to be dangerous like second-hand cigarette smoke but can still be something that others are trying to avoid. Also, we want to point out that vaping is typically banned in public spaces in which smoking is banned.
Does Vaping Leave a Smell in a Room?
Yes, the smell of your vapor will eventually leave the room - quite quickly, in fact, like we said earlier. And, up until now, we’ve talked about the vapor from flavored, nicotine-infused e-liquids. But, what about vape oils containing cannabis compounds, or dab pens - do dab pens smell particularly strong since dabs are concentrated products?
Basically, no matter what you’re vaping or how strong the product is in terms of its concentration and aroma notes, vapor will always dissipate into the air in less than a half hour. This means that no matter what you’re vaping, you won’t be able to, say, smell it in a room the next day.
The reason why is because of the actual physical properties of vapor. Vapor is mostly water, and water evaporates quickly, unlike smoke, which has a higher density of compounds per volume. Being water-based, vapor has no physical properties that allow it to stay suspended in the air for a long period of time.
How Can You Tell if Someone is Secretly Vaping?
Considering all of the above, you may be, for whatever reason, hoping to catch someone vaping by searching for a particular scent. And, like we said, you’re out of luck if the vapor has already dissipated, which is likely given how quickly it fades away. To catch someone secretly vaping, you’d basically have to catch them in the act, which can be tough if the person is good at vaping discreetly. If you do smell the distinctive aroma of e-liquid vapor, however, then it’s pretty undeniable that the person has been vaping.
Final Vape Smelling Thoughts
So, does vape smell? Yes, but the smell of vapor doesn’t last long. That’s good news if you, say, want to vape at home, and don’t want to be smelling your “mango ice” clouds the next morning. Go ahead and vape to your heart’s content, as all you have to worry about is whether or not you can vape in a public space, and whether or not the people around you mind the few moments during which they’ll be able to smell your clouds.